Mailing List

News and Events

The latest edition of WHW News is now online and can be downloaded free. It features a range of articles about the work we do to support women and children experiencing family violence, and about the health promotion and primary prevention programs we undertake. (more…)

People who live, work or study in Melbourne’s west are pledging to help end violence against women as part of the annual 16 Days Activist Challenge.

The 16 Days Activist Challenge is a local campaign that takes place during the global 16 Days of Activism, which runs between 25 November and 10 December annually.

The challenge is initiated by Women’s Health West, as part of their role as lead agency in the Preventing Violence Together partnership.

The campaign encourages people from across Melbourne’s west to pledge to undertake a different action every day to promote gender equality, learn about violence against women, and educate others about the problem.

The actions are designed to be achievable, thought-provoking, practical and fun; and are pitched at different levels depending on the amount of time and effort activists are able to commit.

Women’s Health West will be posting one action on social media for every day of the challenge. It is quick and easy to register for the challenge at http://16daysactivist.whwest.org.au.

Kick off the 16 Days Activist Challenge with a free film screening of Justice League

We are very excited to kickstart this year’s 16 Days Activist Challenge by inviting all participating activists to a free screening of the much anticipated DC Comics film, Justice League.

Come along for the opportunity to meet other activists while also casting a critical eye on the film. We’ll be asking activists to view the film looking for gender bias, which is Challenge #5 in the 16 Days Activist Challenge.

One of the ways we’ll be analysing the film is by using The Bechdel Test, which draws attention to gender bias and sexism in film. Following the screening our host, comedian Nelly Thomas, will invite a few 16 Days Activists to share their thoughts.

Everyone who is registered for the 16 Days Activist Challenge is welcome to come along and bring a friend – you just need to RSVP. Be quick though – space is limited!

Women’s Health West, in conjunction with The Royal Women’s Hospital and the North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network, would like to invite GPs and pharmacists to attend a free professional development workshop on medical termination of pregnancy (MTOP) on the 13th of November.

The event will be held at Pelicans Landing in Williamstown, includes a complimentary dinner and is approved for four category two CDP points.

Women’s Health West have submitted an open letter of support to Australian Marriage Equality in the lead up to the forthcoming postal survey on the topic.

Women’s Health West recognises the right of our LGBTIQ employees, clients and community to live and work free of prejudice and discrimination, and that this includes their right to marry the partner of their choice.

The letter can be read in full below.

25 August 2017

An open letter from Women’s Health West in support of marriage equality in Australia

Women’s Health West recognises the right of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) employees, clients and community to live and work free of prejudice and discrimination. This includes the right to marry the partner of their choice.

Women’s Health West is committed to supporting marriage equality. As we head towards the national postal survey, we believe it is important to recognise and acknowledge that marriage equality is a human right. Everyone has the right to be treated equally.

Our LGBTIQ community have the right to be proud of who they are, to be safe, and to access the same fundamental rights without discrimination. The outcome of this plebiscite will not change that; neither will the hate of those who oppose equality.

Our vision is of equity and justice for women in Melbourne’s west. Our LGBTIQ clients, staff and community need to have equal rights in every aspect of their lives in order for us to achieve this. Not only is marriage equality the right thing to do, it will also help improve our workplace and the services we deliver, by allowing everyone to be treated with equal respect and to feel included.

Women’s Health West stands with the LGBTIQ community in the west of Melbourne, and across Australia.

Women’s Health West and LifeWorks are recruiting to a series of exciting roles to deliver our new, innovative family violence program called Keeping Safe Together.

Keeping Safe Together is a therapeutic demonstration project funded by the Department of Health and Human Services and is being co-led by Women’s Health West and LifeWorks.

A first for Victoria, the program will provide intensive support to families who are experiencing family violence to help them recover and achieve a life free from violence. Keeping Safe Together is an evidence-informed program which focuses on the specific support needs of each member of the family, including men who use violence.

Keeping Safe Together will be initially delivered as a pilot program in both Melton and Wyndham, and is being supported through a partnership involving a range service providers across Melbourne’s western region including cohealth, Mackillop Family Services, Catholic Care, Good Shepherd and the Bouverie Centre.

We are currently advertising for a range of roles who will support the delivery of this new program.

The roles are all full-time, 12 months fixed term. Applicants wishing to apply for a secondment to the roles will also be considered.

Women's Health West acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work, the people of the Kulin Nation, and we pay our respects to Elders and community members past and present. We express solidarity with the ongoing struggle for land rights, self-determination, sovereignty and the recognition of past injustices. We express our hope for reconciliation and justice.

Women's Health West acknowledges the support of a number of funding bodies including: